About Urban Boatbuilders

Urban Boatbuilders is a youth development organization based in St. Paul, MN. Our mission is “to empower youth to build the skills they need to succeed in school, work, and life through woodworking and experiential learning.” Through our Partnership and Apprenticeship Programs, hundreds of youth each year develop technical woodworking and STEAM skills, social and emotional learning skills, and a connection to both their local waterways and employment networks.

​

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment that enhances our ability to pursue our mission and support youth. We are committed to nurturing an organization that fosters inclusivity and equity. We actively seek a diverse pool of candidates for all positions and are committed to supporting and training our employees. 

​

Position Summary

Urban Boatbuilders is seeking a Development and Communications Coordinator to manage our external communications, support development and supporter operations, and help run Urban Boatbuilders’ special and community outreach events portfolio.

​

You will work closely with the Urban Boatbuilders staff, partners, and program participants to develop and implement strategic communication strategies and additional deliverables across communication and development channels, engaging with a variety of stakeholders across the organization. Communication, copywriting, storytelling, data, and project management are critical components of this role, in addition to gathering information from multiple sources to synthesize and craft the appropriate messaging for the diverse audiences we work with at Urban Boatbuilders. This role also supports the Office Manager to help track, process, reconcile, and recognize supporter contributions of all types, as well as helping coordinate outreach and partnership events. 

​

At Urban Boatbuilders, we embrace an "all hands on deck" culture where every team member, regardless of title, is ready to pitch in. We are looking for a proactive problem-solver with strong communication skills and a commitment to equity and youth development. The ideal candidate is one who thrives in an equity-focused and collaborative, small-team environment, is comfortable inviting support, and managing multiple, concurrent, and often competing priorities and projects. ​

​

Position: Development and Communications Coordinator

 

Position Status: Full-time, exempt

 

Compensation and Benefits

• Compensation: $54,000 - $58,000, depending on experience

• Comprehensive benefits package including

  • 100% employer-paid health insurance premium

  • Health Savings Account (HSA) match of up to 3% of salary

  • Employee-paid group dental

  • Simple IRA match of up to 3% of salary

  • Ten paid holidays

  • PTO begins at 15 days/year and increases based on the length of service with the organization up to 25 days/year

  • Short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.

  • Six-week paid sabbatical after seven years

​

Duties Include:

• Develop and implement effective external communication strategies for digital, electronic, print, and social media 

• Manage CRM and various database platforms to include Little Green Light, Levitate, Auctria, and GiveLively

• Coordinate funder, donor, and supporter gift and stewardship letter processes

• Develop and organize regular data-gathering initiatives from program teams

• Collaborate with vendors and teams to produce annual reports, newsletters, and donor reports

• Support execution around fundraising appeals, events, and outreach opportunities

• Capture stories from young adults, their families, program partners, and community members impacted by Urban Boatbuilders 

• Other duties as assigned

 

Development

• Coordinate regular data-gathering and impact reporting initiatives from staff, partnerships, and stakeholders to assist with general impact and funder reporting 

• Coordinate fundraising appeals to include internal story capturing and external vendor project management

• Liaise with finance and operations to ensure accurate and timely gift and revenue reconciliation

• Record and enter revenues (i.e., contributions, gifts, grants, fee for service/earned income/product sales) into Little Green Light

• Assist with donor and supporter cultivation efforts

 

Communications and Marketing

• Develop and implement effective external communication strategies for partnerships and social media 

• Refine and coordinate annual communications calendar around fundraising, community, program, and outreach events

• Develop, manage, and refresh content on Urban Boatbuilders website

• Ensure social media presence and digital marketing (i.e., website) efforts are optimized 

• Collaborate with staff to produce accurate reporting for grant reports, annual reports, and public-facing marketing materials

• Capture stories from young adults and community members impacted by Urban Boatbuilders 

• Create custom appeal/campaign, and/or event-related registration and landing pages

 

Events and Outreach​

• Support execution of fundraising and outreach events 

• Participate in helping staff various outreach and supporter events

• Coordinate and support volunteer recruitment for outreach, program, donor, and community events​​​​

 

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience as an effective and strategic communicator 

• Ability and desire to collaborate with and invite support from other team members

• Experience in copywriting and editing 

• Experience with social media management

• Solid understanding of project management principles and can work independently 

• Working knowledge of MS Office, Google Drive, Canva, and Trello

• Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills 

• Outstanding organizational and planning abilities 

• Proficient command of English 

• Previous work experience in a diverse nonprofit environment is a plus​​​​

• Upon offer of employment, a candidate will be required to pass a Minnesota Child Protection background check.

 

Preferred Qualifications​

• Experience in web design and social content production

• Comfort with video-editing and design software

• Comfort in navigating various CRM and stakeholder communication and engagement platforms 

• Graphic design experience

• A degree in public relations, English, communications or a relevant field

​

To​ ​Apply:

Please send your cover letter and resume to Noah Gerding, Director of Development and Community Engagement at hr@urbanboatbuilders.org, with the subject line “Development and Communications Coordinator."  Priority will be given to applications received by October 19th. However, the position will remain open until filled. If you have immediate questions regarding this job opening, please email info@urbanboatbuilders.org. 

 

Thank you for your interest in joining the Urban Boatbuilders community.